New Delhi: The India Hockey team’s bronze-winning feat at the Paris Olympics provided unadulterated joy to millions across the country, with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, gold-medal shooter Abhi-Nav Bindra, and several political personalities leading the tributes for Harmanpreet Singh and Co. In Thursday’s bronze medal playoff, India registered a come-from-behind win, beating Spain 2-1.
This was India’s second consecutive Olympic medal in hockey. “Bouncing back like true champions! I’m sure it wasn’t easy to swallow the semi-final loss, but our team came back strong and clinched the bronze in men’s hockey once again at this Olympics. Congratulations on this well-served victory, Team India,” Sachin wrote on Instagram.
VVS Laxman termed it a great effort, saying, “Many congratulations to the Indian men’s hockey team on winning a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal. Outstanding effort from our boys.” Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold for the country, termed the victory peerless, which would be remembered for generations to come.
“The Indian Men’s Hockey Team, with courage etched in every stride, you’ve brought home a bronze medal that shines with the brilliance of gold.” To each of you who did the tri-color with pride, thank you for giving us a moment that will echo in our hearts for generations,” wrote Bindra, who shot down the 10-meter air rifle gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, on X.
Olympic medalist Werstler Bajrang Punia was also called the hockey team’s greatest historian. “India has won two consecutive Olympic medals in a row after a long gap of 52 years,” Punia wrote on X.
Two-time Olympic medal-list shuttler PV Sindhu termed it an “iconic” moment for Indian hockey and lauded the team for giving veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh a befitting sendoff.
“Iconic. Congrats to the men in blue for their back-to-back medals. What a send-off to the legend @16Sreejesh,” wrote Sindhu on X. Hockey India president and former defender Dilip Tir-key said the win was the result of years of hard work and patience. “Tears of joy! Our Indian and hockey heroes have done it again! Winning the bronze medal in Paris is more than just a victory; it’s a testament to their unwavering dedication, perseverance, and passion.” Tirkey wrote.
Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik also congratulated Harmanpreet and his teammates.
“Congratulate the Indian Hockey Team on winning consecutive bronze medals in the Olympics after so many decathlons. The Indian team’s historic medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 has swelled every Indian’s heart with pride.
“It is also a deeply emotional moment for me personally. May this bring back the halcyon days of hockey, bringing more and more laurels for the country. Best wishes,” Patnaik, who was the first chief minister in India to sponsor hockey in 2018, said in a post on X. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, too, lauded the hockey team.
“India beams with joy at your extraordinary achievement. Your relentless determination and unwavering hard work fill our hearts with boundless pride. Wish you all the very best in all your future endeavors,” she posted on X.